MANHATTAN, Kan. — Kristina Boone, communications and agricultural education professor and department head for the Kansas State University College of Agriculture, was among six distinguished alumni honored Monday, Feb. 20, by Texas Tech University’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

The awards honor Texas Tech graduates who have made significant contributions to society and whose accomplishments and careers have brought distinction to the college and to the professions associated with agriculture and natural resources.

Boone graduated cum laude from Texas Tech in 1986 with a B.S. in agricultural communication. While working on her undergraduate degree, she served on the departmental advisory council and College of Agriculture student council. She held local and national offices in the Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow.

“Texas Tech focused on experiential learning and hands-on experiences,” Boone said. “I’ve worked to make that a cornerstone of our program here at Kansas State University.”

Boone came to Manhattan in 1995 as an assistant professor in agricultural communication, was named interim department head in 2002 and became the permanent department head in 2005.

After more than 20 years at K-State, Boone recently announced she will return to The Ohio State University, where she earned her master’s and doctoral degrees. As of April 1, she will serve as the director of the university’s Agricultural Technical Institute.

Other Texas Tech Distinguished Alumni Award recipients this year were:

Shawn Benge of Washington, D.C., associate director of park planning, facilities and land with the National Park Service

Eric Best of Lubbock, Texas, technical agronomic advisor with Monsanto